The Dragons of Paragon by Genevieve Jack

Author:Genevieve Jack [Jack, Genevieve]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter Eighteen

Another restless night. Colin didn’t stop in the dining hall for breakfast the following day, instead taking advantage of the cool desert morning to perform his training exercises. He moved through his routine, trying to concentrate on the kicks, blocks, and punches he’d mastered over a lifetime of practice, but Leena’s face kept breaking through his concentration.

It didn’t help that he could see the scribes in the distance, the special red robes they wore for morning ceremonies flowing in the wind around one of the sacred pools. Between the motion and the light reflecting off the goddess’s tears, it made them appear like part of the desert, a flower blooming from the sand. Their chants carried across the arid grounds. He didn’t understand the language, but the melody was beautiful, and he pictured her among the other scribes, singing her heart out in devotion to the goddess.

Leena had meant to push him away last night, but her story only made him more certain they belonged together. She’d taken her oath too early. She hadn’t known what she was getting into, let alone what she’d be missing.

By the time the scribes marched in formation back toward the temple, he’d finished his hand-to-hand combat exercises. Legs trembling, he picked up the sword he’d borrowed from the temple arsenal and started practicing his weapons routine, testing his balance as he attacked invisible opponents around him.

He couldn’t force Leena to want him. Nothing would change unless she decided she wanted more for herself, wanted the love that he knew hovered just beyond their reach. While he was ready and open to it, she wasn’t. And until she altered her way of thinking, there was nothing he could do.

It had to be her choice. His arms throbbed with the effort of wielding the weapon. Sweat dripped down his face. He’d been at this for hours. Exhausted, he dropped to his knees in the sand. No amount of self-flagellation was going to solve this problem. Only one thing would. He had to let her go.

Thankfully, his dragon had not yet bonded with the woman, not in the permanent way of his kind. The desire was there. The offer had been extended. But he was still free. Leena said she wanted to remain a scribe. He had to believe her and honor her wishes, no matter how wrong he thought she was. It was the right thing to do. The only avenue that wouldn’t end in his destruction.

He closed his eyes and said a quick prayer of thanks to the goddess for her help in his preparations for battle, then climbed to his feet to return to the temple. A bird’s cry came from above, and he whirled. Searching the clear blue sky, he was surprised to spot a falcon heading toward him.

Sheathing the blade, he raised his arm for the bird, which landed on the proffered perch with a flourish of wings. A message was attached to its leg.

Master Demidicus is pleased to inform you

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